The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a significant change at the quarterback position, cutting veteran Jake Browning and promoting undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels to serve as the backup to Baker Mayfield. The decision comes as a surprise, particularly given Browning's recent contract.
Daniels, who was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft after playing six college seasons at Kansas, was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 8. He spent the past three months competing for a roster spot and has now secured the backup role, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
This move impacts Jake Browning, 30, who was released just five months after signing a one-year contract worth $1.3 million. Browning has spent his NFL career as a backup, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he often played behind Joe Burrow. He has made 17 appearances over the last three seasons, stepping in as a semi-regular starter due to Burrow's injury issues.
Head coach Todd Bowles indicated that Daniels impressed the coaching staff throughout training camp. "He has shown a lot. We're going to go back and evaluate the film," Bowles stated after the team's final preseason game.
Daniels joined the Buccaneers with a signing bonus of $25,000. He participated in all three of Tampa Bay's preseason games, completing 61% of his passes for 239 yards and also adding a rushing touchdown and 37 rushing yards.